Needle for grain-binders



(N Model.)

T. C. WILKIN. NEEDLE FOR GRAIN -BINDEE.S.

No. 443,639. Patented Deo. 30, 1890.

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PATENT turion.

lllOiliAS O. VILKIN, OF INDEPENDENCE, OREGON.

NEEDLE FOR GRAIN-BINDERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,639, dated December 30, 1890. Application filed July ll, 1890. Serial No. 358,389. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. WILKIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Independence, in the county of Polk and State of Oregon, have invented a new and useful Needle for Grain-Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to grain-binders and it has particular reference to the construction of the binder-needle.

The object of my invention is to so construct a needle as to prevent the eye of the same from being clogged with straw, fine grass, or the like during the operation of the device, which will interfere with the passage of the binding-twine, thereby completely protecting the twine from contact with the straw while the needle is in the act o' binding the grain.

A further object'of my invention is to so construct the needle as to minimize the liability of breaking the twine at the weak points caused by slack twisting and uneven spots.

A further object of my invention is to remove the friction from the twine as it passes through the eye of the needle, which friction chates the twine and makes it rough and uneven, causing it to break when the strain comes on the twine when binding the grain.

A further object of my invention is to save power in the operation of the needle while binding the grain. These objects-I attain by the improved construction,arrangement, and combination of parts composing the binderneedle, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figurel is a side view, partly in section, oi' the binding-needle embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, taken on the line xm in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line y y in Fig. 1 Fig. 4 is asectional view taken on the line e .ein Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view of the under side of the pointof the needle. Fig. 6 is a detail side view of the friction-pulley at the heel end of the needle.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures,

'l designates the needle-arm, which is mounted in the usual manner upon the shaft 2.

3 designates the segmental body of the needle, which is secured at the outer ends of the needle-arm 1 and of a brace 4, which diverges from the said arm.

The segmental needle-body is provided with a longitudinal perforation which extends throughout its entire length for the passage of the binder-twine, which latter is designated by 6. i

The under side of the needle is provided at various points with openings 7, communicating with the channel or passage 5. openings are provided with covers S, having downwardly-extending lugs 9, that are hinged to flanges 10, formed upon the needle-arm and upon the brace diverging from the latter.

In the point of the needle is mounted an anti-friction roller 11, having a grooved periphery, which is in alignment with the end of the channel 5. The outer end of said channel terminates a short distance from the point of the needle, as shown at 12.

Coiled springs 13 are mounted upon the short axles or spindles 11,by means of which the covers S are hinged to the anges 10. Said coiled springs serve to keep the said covers automatically closed when the device is in operation.

15 15 designate a pair of arms or braces, which are connected with the binder-frame and the lower converging ends of which are provided with bearings for a pin 16, supporting a casing 17, in which an anti-friction'pulley 18 is inclosed. The casing 17 is provided with openings for theV passage of the twine. The latter passes from the twine-box around the pulley 1S, through the channel 5 of the needle, over the pulley or roller 11 at the point of the needle, and thence to the binding devices or attachments below the apron of the binder.

From the foregoingdescription, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

The longitudinal channel in the needle, which forms the passage for the bindertwine, absolutely prevents the twine from coming in contact with the straw, die., and the twine is therefore notliable to become choked, clogged, kinkcd, or in any way obstructed. The twine These IOO likewise is not exposed to friction at any point, and the binding' mechanism may consequently be operated by less power, while the twine is not exposed to excessive wear, as is usually the case. rlhe needle, owing to the openings '7 in its under side, which communicate with the longitudinal channel 5, may be very conveniently threaded, and the hinged covers with which said openings are provided will prevent any obstructions from entering the twine-channel through the said openings.

l have in the foregoing described what l consider to be the preferred form of my invention 5 butl would have it understood that I reserve the right to any changes and modifications which may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

llavin g thus described 1n y invention, l claim l. A needle forgrain-bimlers, havingalongitudinal nor1nally-closed channel or perforation extending from its heel and nearly to the point, where it terminates in an opening in the under side of the needle, and having covers at intermediate points through which access may be had to said channel, substantially as and t'or the purpose set forth.

2. A binder-needle having a longitudinal normally-closed channel or passage, in combination with an anti-friction pulley located in said channel or passage near the point of the needle, and covers arranged at intermediate points to alord access to said channel or passage, substantially as set forth.

S. A binder-needle having a longitudinal channel provided with openings, in con1bination with the hinged covers for said openings and the springs to keep the said covers automatically closed, substantially as and for the purpose herein sot forth.

Ll. A binder-needle having a longitudinal channel for the passa-ge ot' the twine and provided with openings in its under side communicatin g with said channel, in combination with the covers for said openings, having 45 downward-extending lugs hinged to flanges formed upon the needle-arm and upon the brace diver-ging from the latter, and the springs to hold the said covers automatically and normally in a closed position, substantially as and i' or the purpose set forth.

5. A binder-needle having a longitudinal passage for the twine and openings communieating with the said passage, in combination with the covers for the said openings, spring to hold said covers normally closed, an anti-friction roller mounted in said passage near the point of the needle, and a friction-roller mounted in a suitable casing at the heel end ot the needle, said casing bein-g supported by braces connected to the frame of the 1nachine, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingias my own I have hereto aiiixed my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

Witnesses:

W. L. XVILKIN, W. L. (Imnnrstm. 

